Many comets from other solar systems
Posted: Fri, Jun 11, 2010, 7:14 AM ET (1114 GMT)
The vast majority of comets in our solar system actually formed around other stars and were later captured by the Sun, scientists reported Thursday. Computer simulations show that more than 90 percent of the comets in the Oort Cloud, a spherical shell of icy bodies far from the Sun, likely originated from other stars, according to new computer simulations. The Sun formed in cluster of other stars also filled with icy objects; when the cluster dispersed the Sun captured many of these objects. The models explain why the Oort Cloud contains more objects than would be expected if all the objects formed around the Sun.
The vast majority of comets in our solar system actually formed around other stars and were later captured by the Sun, scientists reported Thursday. Computer simulations show that more than 90 percent of the comets in the Oort Cloud, a spherical shell of icy bodies far from the Sun, likely originated from other stars, according to new computer simulations. The Sun formed in cluster of other stars also filled with icy objects; when the cluster dispersed the Sun captured many of these objects. The models explain why the Oort Cloud contains more objects than would be expected if all the objects formed around the Sun.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA IG cites overconfidence and unrealistic schedules for Starliner woes
Posted: Sat, Jul 4 8:11 PM ET (0011 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, July 17
Extending ISS operation until 2030 to smooth transition for next station — cosmonaut
TASS — 4:16 am ET (0816 GMT) Anna Kikina becomes first female TASS correspondent on board ISS
TASS — 4:16 am ET (0816 GMT) Roscosmos-NATO heads’ relations indicate excellent prospects — Russian cosmonaut
TASS — 4:15 am ET (0815 GMT) SpaceX aborts Starship launch at the last moment
TASS — 4:15 am ET (0815 GMT) Earth-like exoplanet found to have an atmosphere
The Guardian — 4:15 am ET (0815 GMT) |
